By means of Aubrey Rose A. Inosante, Reporter
The Thai government’s plan to legalize casinos is a “big threat” for the Filipino gaming industry, according to Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) Chairman and Chief ExecutiveFIcer Alejandro H. Tengco.
During a briefing on Wednesday, Mr. Tengco said that Thailand has an advantage because the tourist appointments are larger than the Philippines.
“It’s a big threat. Why? Thailand had 35 million tourists and the Philippines had less than six million, “he said, referring to the international tourist run in 2024.
The Thai cabinet approved a draft law last month to legalize casinos in “entertainment complexes” to stimulate economic growth. With this plan, the Thai government wants to attract at least 100 billion baht ($ 3 billion) in new investments and to stimulate foreign tourist arrivals by no less than 10%.
“Instead of coming to the Philippines to gamble, people can just go to Thailand,” said Mr. Tengco.
Mr. Tengco also marked possible competition from the first Casino resort of Japan, which is expected to be opened in Osaka by 2030.
“They can go to Osaka, Japan instead. That is why I say that we have to prepare well because the competition is coming, and it is better if we are for it, “he said.
The entertainment city in Las Vegas style of the Philippines attracts local and foreign tourists. Various integrated resorts work in the area, such as Solaire Resort & Casino, City of Dreams Manila and Okada Manila.
Mr. Tengco said that Pagcor must tighten the rules and regulations to build his reputation and push license holders to renovate their ‘very old -looking casinos’.
Mr. Tengco said that Pagcor is also determined to split his dual role of regulator and operator by 2026. “By disconnecting, we will be able to show the world that we are honest, that there is no conflict of interest,” he said.
Mr. Tengco remained optimistic about the gaming outlook in the Philippines. He noticed that the Philippines would easily reach a fresh high high of P480-million gross gaming income (GGR) in 2025, which would mainly be driven by the e-gaming segment.
If this is achieved, this would be 16.94% higher than the record -high P410.48 billion in 2024.
The GGR of the Philippines of P410.48 billion ($ 7.09 billion) was the second highest in Asia last year, after the GGR of Macau, which was 226.78 billion Macanese pataca ($ 28.32 billion).
A CITI report in November was of the opinion that the Thailand GGR could hit no less than $ 9.1 billion once it is fully developed. This would make it the second largest in Asia, after Macau.
Philippine Institute for Development Studies Senior Research Fellow John Paolo R. Rivera said that with the strategic location of Thailand the well-developed tourism sector and global connectivity would make it more attractive for gaming operators and tourists.
“Investors can reconsider Philippines as a long -term gaminghub such as Thailand and Japan offer more stable instructions, high -quality tax stimuli and infrastructure,” he said.
To maintain his regional benefit, Mr Rivera said that the country should position his integrated resorts as entertainment and tourist destinations, not just adding gaminghubs by theme parks and concert locations.
“(They also have to) stimulate marketing efforts for Japanese, Korean and Chinese high rollers, while also diversifying in new markets such as the Midden -Oost, India and Association of Southeast -Asian countries, regionally extensive economic partnership,” he said.
Mr. Tengco said that most casino visitors come from South Korea in the country. Most of these Korean tourists patrark in Clark, Pampanga.
Meanwhile, Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a fellow at the ateneo de Manila University Policy Center, said that Thailand and Japan have a grand edge as a tourist destination and are equipped with the necessary infrastructure and services.
“But the Philippines still have ways to distinguish themselves to get a considerable part of the gambling market. We may have lower costs of doing business. And our service industry is also robust, “he said.
Mr. Yusingco also said that increasing the status of our international airports, improving power stability and traffic mobility, the competitiveness of the Filipino gaming industry will stimulate.